Justification This species is classified as Near Threatened as it has a small and declining population, but this is divided into a number of subpopulaiotns, the largest of which probably numbers more than 1,000 mature individuals.

Family/Sub-family Charadriidae

Species name author (Fraser, 1845)

Taxonomic source(s) SACC (2005 + updates), Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993), Stotz et al. (1996)

Identification

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

2,500-9,999

decreasing

762,000 km²

No

Range & population Phegornis mitchelli is poorly known and perhaps naturally rare in the Andes of north-central Peru (from Ancash south¹) through north Chile and west Bolivia to south-central Chile and south-central Argentina. The population has been estimated at fewer than 10,000 individuals and declining⁵, but occupation of a harsh environment at high altitude suggests that it may be relatively secure (at least) in parts of its range⁴.

Important Bird Areas Click here to view map showing IBAs where species is recorded and triggers any of the IBA criteria.

Ecology: It occurs in the puna zone on waterlogged mossy tundra and bogs with matted cushion-plant vegetation, especially Distichia bogs, with occasional records from gravel or grass on river plains and near lakes. It breeds at 2,850-5,000 m, and in the south of its range descends to 2,000 m in winter^2,3,4.

Threats Its high altitude habitat is presumably relatively secure.

Conservation measures underway None is known.

Conservation measures proposed Survey to obtain an accurate population estimate. Assess threats to puna zone habitat. Search suitable unsurveyed high altitude habitat. Effectively protect significant areas of suitable habitat at key sites, in both strictly protected areas and community led multiple use areas.

References 1. Clements and Shany (2001). 2. Fernandes d'Oliveira and Rodríguez Moulin (1997). 3. Parker et al. (1996). 4. Piersma (1996). 5. R. Schlatter in litt. (2002) to Wetlands International (2002).

Text account compilers Marcus Babarskas (BirdLife International), Phil Benstead (BirdLife International), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), David Capper (BirdLife International), Andy Symes (BirdLife International)

Contributors R. Schlatter

IUCN Red List evaluators Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Andy Symes (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Phegornis mitchellii. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 10/2/2010

This information is based upon, and updates, the information published in BirdLife International (2000) Threatened birds of the world. Barcelona and Cambridge, UK: Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, BirdLife International (2004) Threatened birds of the world 2004 CD-ROM and BirdLife International (2008) Threatened birds of the world 2008 CD-ROM. These sources provide the information for species accounts for the birds on the IUCN Red List.

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